Michael Keane made three appearances for United before joining Burnley but has been rarely used at Turf MoorGetty Images

Manchester United youngster Michael Keane has been left "gutted" by the decision to send him on loan to Burnley as fellow academy graduates Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair continue to thrive in the first team amid the club's injury crisis.

With Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Marcos Rojo having each spent lengthy spells out injured, Blackett and McNair have been promoted from the club's youth ranks and handed several opportunities with the first team.

Blackett has made 13 appearances in all competitions this term while Northern Ireland international McNair has played five times, such has been the problems facing United and manager Louis van Gaal.

Keane was denied an opportunity to add to his three appearances for United this season after being sent out on loan to Burnley, where he has earned just two Premier League starts in the recent 1-1 draws with Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

And the England Under-21 international has bemoaned missing out on the chance to impress Van Gaal while at Burnley, where baring two recent starts his impact has been limited.

"To see those young players playing there, while I'm happy for them, I'm also obviously gutted that it wasn't me," Keane told Sky Sports News HQ.

"But it's just one of those things. There's nothing I can do about it. There's nothing I can do to get back there so I just have to be patient, keep working hard here and wait for my chance."

The 21 year old had initially expressed his delight in moving to Turf Moor after playing against Sunderland, Milton Keynes Dons and Burnley earlier in the campaign but his spell at the newly promoted club has turned sour are considering what might have been.